OSSIAN'S POEMS.

Here I have heard on hills the battle clash

Roar to the windy sea that roared again:

When, drunk with wrath, upon the clanking plain

Barbaric kings did meet in war and dash

Their mailed thousands down, heard onset crash

Like crags contending‘ gainst the battering main.

Torrents of helms, beaming like streams of rain,

Blue-billowing‘ neath the pale moon's fitful flash;

Saw the scared moon hang over the black wood

Like a pale wreath of foam; shields, spears, and swords

Shoot green as meteors thro’ the steely flood,

Or shine like ripples‘ round their heathen lords

Standing like stubborn rocks, whence the wild wave

Of war circled in steel and foamed out brave on brave.